While it's a wonderful tool to spread information, spark conversations and expand horizons, it's also hard to hear through all the noise. It's hard to know what to believe or how to feel.

Facebook has been borderline unbearable as gun debates erupt on threads throughout the social media network.

And while these hard conversations are important and necessary to some degree, they are also exhausting.

Maybe it's just my perception, but it appears we are not only more vocal these days, we are careless about the words we say, the relationships we sever and the stress we put upon ourselves merely by signing on to social media.

But contrary to the bombs being dropped all over our Facebook timelines, there is indeed other news happening in the middle of all these politically-charged debates. News that gives us a much-needed break from the roar of social media warriors.

So in an effort to break through the warfare, here are five news stories that have nothing to do with the gun debate. Give yourself a break for 3 minutes and dive into the rest of what's happening around us. Trust me. You could use it.

1. There's a new species of shark to haunt your nightmares

Perhaps this little news nugget isn't the greatest reprieve. A new species of shark was discovered, adding to the textbook-long list of things that bite in (or rather near) the state of Florida. COOL. The good news is the newly-discovered shark species is a deep-water creature, so unless you decide to make a deal with Ursula and become a mermaid, you're probably in the clear. Researchers, including a local shark biologist from Florida Tech, uncovered the ancient shark species. It's near-extinct and is hailed as a "living fossil," ... not unlike some of the snowbirds down to visit right now.

For all 10 people who still watch "Survivor," here's your chance to gloat to all your fellow "Survivor" nerds that "you knowwww himmmm!"

Well, kind of. He's at least from our neck of the woods. You may not know him personally, but everybody knows everybody through somebody in Brevard, so close enough.

Meet Sebastian Noel, a former Viera High athlete who made it past casting calls and on to the 1,112,568th season of "Survivor." The show premiered Wednesday, and Noel was one of the first to compete in a challenge. Spoiler alert: He wasn't voted off the island.

If Noel wins, he'll get a $1 million prize ... which comes out to about .02 cents after taxes. Best of luck, Sebastian! The show airs Wednesdays on CBS at 8 p.m.

Up next? "Survivor: Merritt Island," where participants compete to see who can get down Courtenay Parkway without road-raging. WHY DO WE EVEN HAVE BLINKERS?!?! WHY.

3. A Merritt Island youth pastor will appear on this Sunday's episode of "The Walking Dead"

If there is one thing Merritt Island youth pastor Matt Gleason has taught us, it's if you evacuate for a hurricane, go somewhere cool. Gleason followed mandatory evacuation orders during Hurricane Irma, and his journey led him to a town in Georgia where "The Walking Dead" is filmed. His wife stumbled upon a casting call and BOOM. Gleason hits the big time. Sorta. He was a paid extra, but hey, it's something. Gleason's episode airs Sunday at 9 p.m. on AMC. Gleason teased that it's an episode that he's in a "pivotal" scene that shapes the season.

Cue the awwww's. SeaWorld Orlando released 17 rehabilitated sea turtles back into the ocean Wednesday morning from Playalinda Beach (the Canaveral National Seashore). While this isn't technically in Titusville, Titusville residents could argue for days that it's their beach, so just go with it. LISTEN. We don't even have an Olive Garden. Let us have Playalinda.

The sea turtles were rescued in New England from the frigid weather and flown down here to Florida. Upon arrival in Orlando, SeaWorld’s rescue team conducted full examinations to determine the best treatment for each sea turtle.

Fast forward three or so months, and the turtles are ready to go home. Where's Michael Buble when you need him? Michael??? MICHAEL. Here he is:

Have you ever wondered how all those people who live on South Tropical Trail or River Road afford those gigantic waterfront houses? Well, they're probably all port CEOs. All of them.

The CEO of Port Canaveral takes home a pretty sweet paycheck and he just got a raise. Port commissioners voted to give CEO John Murray a raise for a job well-done. It was agreed he's getting a 4 percent boost, which increases his salary from $350,000 to $364,000. Needless to say, dinner is on him this week.

Also, is that you dad? It me, Jessica, your long-lost daughter. Can I borrow $20?

That being said, being port CEO is not a cake walk, and Murray is actually making less than other port CEOs. Murray manages A LOT of people, a lot of activities and has plenty of responsibilities to justify that salary. Plus, he is paid with revenue generated by port operations, so no whining. Let's just hope he keeps things rolling and keeps all those tourism and manufacturing dollars rolling into the county.

About BDB:

Boiled Down Brevard is an irreverent daily column that puts a quirky spin on today's news. We "boil" it all down. To get BDB daily, download the Florida Today app and allow notifications. We'll send you an alert every evening.